Norte Maar presents: Camp Pocket Utopia

Norte Maar presents: Camp Pocket Utopia in Rouses Point, New York - July 21 – July 28, 2010

image by Norman Jabaut: Camp Pocket Utopia at sunset, 2010. Rouses Point, New York

OPENING CEREMONY, Wednesday, July 21st 6:00 p.m.

20 Pratt Street, Rouses Point, NY 12979

Contact: 917-400-3869, Austin Thomas or 518-314-1516, Jason Andrew

When Pocket Utopia closed a year ago, Jason Andrew of Norte Maar for Collaborative Projects in the Arts, told me about Rouses Point, New York, and his 5 summers of dance festivals there and the community in the North Country. Together, we came up with the idea for a summer camp, based on the Black Mountain College model, called Camp Pocket U. The camp will take place the last 2 weeks of July 2010. Everyone’s invited, but pre-registration is required at nortemaar.org or by email at ats@toast.net.

Inspired by a Joseph Beuys-type thinking of what artists are and Andrea Zittel's ongoing investigations into living and building upon Jen Dalton and William Powhida’s examinations of the way art is made and seen, Camp Pocket U., will offer free classes and evening salons. Some of the classes include: dance, drawing, ethics, knitting, mural making, and wordplay.

During the first week, starting Monday, July 19^th, Camp Pocket U., will offer free classes to children ages 7 to 12 years. On Wednesday, July 21^st there will be an evening celebration and exhibition opening (titled Ab hinc meaning from here on) featuring work by: Drew Ali, Sharon Butler, Elisabeth Condon, Diane Fine, Brece Honeycutt, Ellen Letcher, Matthew Miller, Lars Kremer, Kevin Regan, Adam Simon, Kay Thomas, and Brenda Zlamany.

Special guest lectures will be given by Jen Dalton and Rico Gatson on issues of identity and art, Kevin Regan, artist and founder of Famous Accountants, will gather campers nightly for inspirational, planetary, cosmic speeches and guided meditations, Jason Andrew will further elaborate on Fernand Léger’s life in Rouses Point, Julia Gleich will present on the connections between her unique vision of movement and the science of vectors, Kay Thomas will demonstrate orizomigami, suminagashi, and back by popular demand - milk resist painting.

Other special events will include a discussion on Art in the Blogosphere led by Sharon Butler, author Two Coats Paint, an evening with Klaus Ottmann, independent curator and writer, and a 100-yard dash and pancake breakfast sponsored by the multimedia financial-services company the Motley Fool. Information on all events will be posted on Norte Maar’s facebook page and on pocketutopia.com.

Travel by Amtrak to Rouses Point for $100/rt., stay at the only hotel for $75/a night, eat an awesome cheap grilled cheese at the Best Friends Diner and enjoy a communal supper at Jason’s place nightly. Come “camp” this summer, at Camp Pocket U!

Camp Pocket U. has been made possible by many generous individual donations from people like you! THANK YOU to everyone who donated!!